Growing numbers of companies are using new technology and process redesigns to streamline their supply chain connections, compete at a higher level, and grow market share. This article in Supply & Demand Chain Executive notes
six trends that are affecting supply chain management:

Is your company focused on keeping its supply chain aligned with the overall business strategy?
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Total Electronics' New Product Introduction strategy is key in the process of getting your new product to market, planning for keeping the supply chain flowing smoothly and saving you money. In this phase, we bring together technology, materials planning, design for manufacturing, testing, and logistics. Access more information here.

CT Server is a configurable Java-based standard product that completes the link between plant and process devices, and the rest of the enterprise. It can run on virtually any hardware or operating system. All user and administrative functions are accessed through a standard browser window, making it easy-to-deploy and maintain.
Learn more.

A survey of supply chain software shows widespread use and high levels of investment. More than 60% of respondents to the survey use an enterprise resource planning system; companies are investing almost $200,000 on software and training; more than a third use more software vendors than they used to.

Providing field workers with mobile computing capabilities that go beyond e-mail can increase their productivity, data accuracy, timeliness, and reduce operational costs. But what's the best way to make it happen? CIO Magazine compares outsourcing with building a customized in-house solution. Important issues include picking the mobile device, identifying a wireless service provider, selecting the software platform, and system implementation and rollout.

More than half of online shoppers research a product online and then buy it offline, according to a study by Forrester Research. Understanding the habits of these shoppers is important — in addition to online purchases, they influenced more than $125 billion in offline sales last year. Another important factor: these cross-channel shoppers show a tendency to switch brands.

The National Complaints Culture Survey from the UK-based Institute of Customer Service reports on a number of trends. Among the findings: customers complain more than they did three years ago; almost 70% of customers are willing to pay up to 20% more for good service; a mere 15% of customers believe in the truthfulness of responses to complaints; and there are big differences in how complaints are viewed by managers and front-line customer service personnel.

RedVector.com training and development courses are nationally approved by state boards and organizations that require continuing education, and they maintain over 800 titles that serve both technical and soft skill training needs for the design and construction professional. RedVector.com supplements your current programs, speeds delivery of information, and improves productivity.

The ROCK provides remote management for up to two photo eyes, two light stacks, and two relays in a single ruggedized package that is accessible via simple TCP commands over a network. The controller can be mounted in Venture Research's standard Door Portal or Conveyor Tunnel solutions, or integrated into a customer supplied portal solution.

A matrix is designed to help companies determine the best way to enter the world of radio frequency identification (RFID), as this archived report explains. The matrix places companies in four categories: watch and learn, comply, adopt early, and maximize. Companies in the "comply" category are those that must adopt the technology to comply with current or imminent regulations. In the short term, the business case may be negative for these companies, but there are ways to get to compliance cost-effectively.

Metals reduce signal strength and range in RFID systems, but there are ways to deal with these limitations. 

One method is to use a long wavelength frequency, such as 433.92 MHz, which refracts around metallic obstructions. Active, rather than passive, RFID systems can also be effective. Active systems use batteries to provide the power necessary to overcome many metallic barriers.

Applying the principles of Lean Manufacturing to warehouse logistical operations enables high levels of efficiency without the high levels of expense required for fully automated systems. Analyses have shown that it is not unusual for lift truck operators to waste several minutes during the average retrieval cycle. Multiplying that figure by hundreds of cycles per week gives an idea of the magnitude of the problem. Truck-mounted PCs with touch-screen interfaces and wireless links to a warehouse management system are a cost-effective approach.

Key differences separate the capabilities of the warehouse management component of an enterprise resource planning system and those of a stand-alone, full-function WMS.

A special report discusses these differences with the aim of helping supply chain managers compare these two options. [Registration is required to download the report in PDF format.]

SLM (Service Level Management) is Astellia's solution to help mobile operators define and track the SLAs (Service Level Agreements) they sell to their business customers. SLM is a customer-centric solution that evaluates the quality of service (QoS) experienced by each individual of a business customer fleet.

At Sanmina-SCI, we tightly couple manufacturing, logistics, and supply chain management processes, allowing for the design, assembly, and distribution of your products to be completed more quickly, at a lower cost, and at high quality standards. Our logistics services include distribution and transportation network optimization, parts movement visibility, information sharing, and more.

DiceEngineering.com offers thousands of quality engineering jobs at top technology and engineering companies. Find jobs in your area of expertise.

Search now.

The Automotive Industry Action Group offers a course called Global Materials Management Operations Guideline Logistics Evaluation (MMOG/LE). The course is based on the global standard for material processes that offers the potential to reduce workloads for both suppliers and customers. Students will learn how to complete an MMOG/LE and how to devise a plan for filling gaps that are identified.

The course is available for on-site training at user facilities.

This company seeks a supply chain specialist who will report to the Director of Logistics Operations and Supply Chain Strategy. Responsibilities include leading the opportunity assessment, analysis, selling, and implementation of key supply chain strategic initiatives.

The position also requires interaction with other departments, including Supply and Demand Planning, Materials Management, Manufacturing, Purchasing, Customer Service, Customer Logistics, Distribution, Transportation, Engineering, Finance, Marketing, and Sales.

We all know that different people have different tastes in food. Now nutrition and pharmaceutical companies are looking to create new products and services that take advantage of the fact that we also have different health responses to the foods we eat. Data from the human genome project — gene sequences that are available for use in nutrition research — has spurred the development of genetic tests that can help individuals make nutritional and lifestyle choices matched to their genetic profiles. Scientist Live has the story...

If you've ever had a visceral reaction to a poster or billboard, you may be happy to hear about this new application of Wireless Bluetooth communications technology. An embedded chip in an advertising poster lets viewers get detailed information via their cell phones.

The original concept featured a PC installed behind the ad, but all the capabilities are now contained in a small, low-cost chip.
[Scroll down three-quarters of the page to "Interactive Posters."]

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Complimentary Guide: Cost Justifying Warehouse Management Technologies

In today's competitive marketplace, companies are motivated to reduce the costs associated with operations and customer service. This must-read guide provides proven methods to reduce these costs, such as selecting the right warehouse management software.

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